Back-to-back Asia Rugby Championship crowns for Hong Kong as they pummel South Korea in final test
- The men’s squad finish undefeated in the tournament, notching 212 points over four games while only conceding 37
- Hong Kong won their second consecutive title as Japan sat out the tournament for the second year in a row
In the end, Andrew Hall’s boys left little doubt. Hong Kong’s men’s 15-a-side rugby squad tore a strip off South Korea in the final match of the Asia Rugby Championship, blitzing their way to a 64-3 win in blistering heat on Saturday afternoon at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Captain James Cunningham said they had a definite goal heading into the match, one they accomplished with flying colours.
“Going into the week our main focus was no tries, and we achieved that,” said the 29-year-old second row veteran. “And so this is an outstanding result and I think it sends a message to other teams going forward.”
Hall echoed his captain’s statement, noting they wanted to plug any leaks defensively first.
“We wanted to protect our line for the first 40 minutes because when you play against Korea you have to stop them from scoring tries. We always score tries against Korea, and four or five years ago we might be losing 45-30, so it’s no good if you’re scoring 30 points against them. So that was the point when we went to Incheon, and that was the focus today.”
Cunningham said it was definitely a lesson they took to heart, as they headed to Kuala Lumpur the following weekend and blanked Malaysia 71-0.
“We learned how important it is to be professional for every game, and don’t take any game lightly,” he said of the takeaways from this year’s ARC. “I think we went into the first Malaysia game not as prepared and aware of how structured we need to be, and they really scared us, we almost came away with a lose there.”
One notable stand-out for Hong Kong was newcomer Sebastian Brien, as the 24-year-old sevens stalwart made an impressive debut for the 15-a-side squad. In two games of the tournament he collected a try, made a number of key runs with the ball and made a few thrilling defensive stops as the last man standing.
Brien said he’s not sure if he will be a part of Paul John’s sevens squad who will kick off the Asia Rugby Sevens Series this fall in Korea on August 31, but he hopes his play made the case for him.
“Well, we get a month off here, and then I need to speak to my superiors, and then hopefully put my hand back up and be a part of the Asian Sevens Series. I want to be playing as much competitive rugby as possible.”
Brien said playing out on the wing for Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay, who made a glorious run all the way to the Grand Championship in the men’s premiership earlier this year, really helped put him on the national radar for the 15-a-side team.
“I’m feeling really comfortable out on the wing now and I think the coaches are starting to notice that.”
